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The post Take A Peek At ‘All The Love Under The Vast Sky’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Shape of Thunder follows two young girls, Cora and Quinn, who used to be best friends. They haven’t spoken to each other in almost an entire year, after Quinn’s brother Parker initiated a school shooting, killing multiple people, including himself and Cora’s sister Mabel. Now, Cora’s and Quinn’s friendship seems irreparably broken as they both try to traverse their own landscape of grief, guilt and loss. Quinn doesn’t know how to keep her brother’s past actions from her future while Cora cannot move past what happened because no one in her family really talks about it. On the day of Cora’s twelfth birthday, Quinn and Cora reunite as Quinn has an idea on how to fix what’s been broken: she is going to go back in time and prevent her brother from getting their father’s gun, setting things right. But she needs Cora’s help—and scientific mind—to do it.

These are my favourite kinds of middle-grade stories. The ones where you are inexorably changed because of how profound and terrifying the subject matter is, yet also feel the underlying pulse of hope coursing through the plot. The Shape of Thunder focused on the aftermath of a school shooting instead of including gory details about what happened. This, of course, was a perfect choice considering this story is aimed at middle-grade readers, and it also gave the narrative enough space to really flesh out Cora and Quinn as young, struggling girls who do not know how to cope with the losses they’ve both suffered. Both are unable to speak about what happened, either because their parents won’t let them discuss it or because they feel guilty for bringing it up. I couldn’t put this book down because Cora and Quinn’s attempts to set things right was just so justifiable. Both are dealing very differently with their grief, either by going to therapy or trying to come up with solutions on how to set things right, and I thought that was such an interesting portrayal, to showcase that there is no right way to get over a traumatic event and the losses you’ve suffered. Grief is something highly personal which isn’t often discussed. What works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for someone else and Warga explores this beautifully in The Shape of Thunder.

The grief Cora and Quinn experience is palpable, the tension and accusation between them over things left unsaid keeps you flipping the pages and even though you kind of know how the story will end, you still cross your fingers and hope against hope that these best friends find their way back to each other and maybe, just maybe, help to prevent Parker’s actions from ever happening again.

A heartbreaking tale of fraught friendships and the harrowing bond between guilt and grief, The Shape of Thunder is a profound exploration of the scars we bear after a traumatic event and how we can rebuild broken bridges instead of burning them.

The Shape of Thunder is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of May 11th 2021.

Will you be picking up The Shape of Thunder? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Cora hasn’t spoken to her best friend, Quinn, in a year.

Despite living next door to each other, they exist in separate worlds of grief. Cora is still grappling with the death of her beloved sister in a school shooting, and Quinn is carrying the guilt of what her brother did.

On the day of Cora’s twelfth birthday, Quinn leaves a box on her doorstep with a note. She has decided that the only way to fix things is to go back in time to the moment before her brother changed all their lives forever—and stop him.

In spite of herself, Cora wants to believe. And so the two former friends begin working together to open a wormhole in the fabric of the universe. But as they attempt to unravel the mysteries of time travel to save their siblings, they learn that the magic of their friendship may actually be the key to saving themselves.

The post Review: The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

With a new (and hopefully better) year now in full swing, we are antsy to get our hands on so many books! Middle grade novels are upping their already strong game in 2021 with a plethora of diverse and inclusive plots. From thrilling sequels by household names such as Victoria Schwab and Hena Khan, to promising debut authors like Nicole Lesperance and Alyssa Colman, 2021 looks like a promising year for middle-grade novel lovers.

Want more 2021 releases? Check out our lists for Most Anticipated 2021 Books, 2021 Queer Book Releases, 2021 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases, 2021 Romance Book Releases, 2021 YA Book Releases, and 2021 Queer SFF Book Releases.

Read on to discover the out-of-this-world novels that are heading your (or your kids’) way in 2021!

JANUARY

The Nightmare Thief by Nicole Lesperance
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the tradition of Natalie Lloyd and Ingrid Law comes a whimsical debut about a girl, her family’s dream shop, and a nightmare thief determined to change the course of her life as she knows it.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black in this exhilarating debut middle grade fantasy, the first in a trilogy filled with #blackgirlmagic, about a young girl who must earn a spot at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs in order to find her missing brother—only to discover that her unprecedented levels of potential and power have marked her as a suspect in the ongoing fight against an evil magical threat.

The Sea in Winter by Christine Day
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this evocative and heartwarming novel for readers who loved The Thing About Jellyfish, the author of I Can Make This Promise tells the story of a Native American girl struggling to find her joy again.

Clues to the Universe by Christina Li
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This #ownvoices debut about losing and finding family, forging unlikely friendships, and searching for answers to big questions will resonate with fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Rebecca Stead.

Unplugged by Gordon Korman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman comes a hilarious middle grade novel about a group of kids forced to “unplug” at a wellness camp—where they instead find intrigue, adventure, and a whole lot of chaos. Perfect for fans of Korman’s The Unteachables, the Masterminds series, and Carl Hiaasen’s eco mysteries.

Magic’s Most Wanted by Tyler Whitesides
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Magic is closer than you ever thought possible in this madcap middle grade adventure perfect for fans of James Riley and Chris Grabenstein.

FEBRUARY 

Red, White and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A heartbreakingly hopeful #ownvoices novel in verse about an Indian American girl whose life is turned upside down when her mother is diagnosed with leukemia.

The Greatest Superpower by Alex Sanchez
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Fans of Alex Sanchez, the award-winning author of Rainbow Boys and the Lambda Award-winning novel So Hard to Say, will delight in his new middle-grade novel, which addresses the complexities of gender identity with honesty, humor, and heart. Readers will be encouraged to find their own superpowers thanks to Sanchez’s story, which gives face to a traditionally invisible minority and focuses on what it means to be yourself.

Ancestor Approved ed. By Cynthia Leitich Smith 
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Edited by award-winning and bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith, this collection of intersecting stories by both new and veteran Native writers bursts with hope, joy, resilience, the strength of community, and Native pride.

The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An enchanting fantasy adventure about the importance of bravery, resourcefulness, and following your heart from a debut author.

The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An accessible and beautifully written middle grade novel-in-verse by award-winning Irish author Meg Grehan about Stevie, a young girl reckoning with anxiety about the many things she has yet to understand—including her feelings about her friend Chloe. Perfect for fans of Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World, Star Crossed, and George.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. (as Told by His Brother) by David Levithan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

New York Times bestselling author David Levithan takes young readers on twisting journey through truth, reality, and fantasy and belief.

MARCH

Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Cassidy Blake takes on her most dangerous challenge yet in the latest book in this New York Times bestselling series.

The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A boy who accidentally bonds with a magical Beast must set off on an adventure in the mysterious Woods in this whimsical and cheeky middle grade fantasy debut that is perfect for fans of Nevermoor and How to Train Your Dragon.

Amina’s Song by Hena Khan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the companion novel to the beloved and award-winning Amina’s Voice, Amina once again uses her voice to bridge the places, people, and communities she loves – this time across continents.

Breathing Underwater by Sarah Allen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Breathing Underwater is a sparkly, moving middle grade novel from the author of What Stars Are Made of, and a big-hearted exploration of sisterhood, dreams, and what it means to be there for someone you love.

The House that Wasn’t There by Elana K. Arnold
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

National Book Award finalist and Printz Honoree Elana K. Arnold returns with a powerful, heartwarming, unforgettable story of the mysterious ways in which we’re all connected, and what those connections mean. 

The Girl Who Stole the Elephant by Nizrana Farook
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Own Voices debut author Nizrana Farook spins an exciting, page-turning tale in a lush, vibrant, fictional Sri Lankan setting and featuring themes of friendship and loyalty, risk and reward, and heroism. A great middle-grade escapist novel and readaloud! 

APRIL

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When a powerful desert spirit kidnaps her sister, Cece Rios must learn forbidden magic to get her back in this #ownvoices middle grade fantasy debut perfect for fans of Storm Runner and Aru Shah and the End of Time.

The Last Windwitch by Jennifer Adam
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This delightfully classic middle grade fantasy debut, perfect for fans of Serafina and the Black Cloak and The Book of Boy, follows an unlikely young witch as she discovers that she is the key to saving her kingdom.

Sea of Kings by Melissa Hope
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When their island kingdom falls under siege, royal brothers Noa and Dagan must follow a magical map and confront the legendary one-eyed pirate before evil takes over their world.

The Gilded Girl by Alyssa Colman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Any child can spark magic, but only the elite are allowed to kindle it. Those denied access to the secrets of the kindling ritual will see their magic snuffed out before their thirteenth birthday. Heartfelt, fast-paced, and utterly absorbing, The Gilded Girl is Alyssa Colman’s sparkling debut novel about determination, spirit, and the magic of friendship.

The Last Shadow Warrior by Sam Subity
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Percy Jackson meets Thor in a laugh-out-loud, action-packed adventure inspired by Norse mythology.

Thornlight by Claire LeGrand
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Resourceful twin sisters and a desperate queen must find a new source of magic to stop their kingdom from being consumed by darkness. This classic fantasy-adventure from bestselling author Claire Legrand is full of twists, turns, and unforgettable moments. Thornlight is a must-have for fans of Tahereh Mafi and Diana Wynne Jones.

MAY

Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Ali Benjamin comes a poignant yet hopeful novel about a girl navigating grief, trauma, and friendship, from the award-winning author of Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World.

The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An extraordinary new novel from the Newbery Honor–winning author of Other Words for Home about grief, loss—and how friendship can be magical.

Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A moving middle-grade #ownvoices debut for anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t belong.

Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi
Goodreads | Mango and Marigold Press

Rea Chettri is on a secret quest to find her missing twin brother Rohan and she only has a few days. The clock is ticking in this fast-paced, thrilling and exciting adventure rife with evil creatures, a ruthless villain, and unforgettable friendships.

The Mending Summer by Ali Standish
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Perfect for fans of Orphan Island and Wishtree, The Mending Summer is the next stunning middle grade novel from Ali Standish—author of the Carnegie Medal nominee The Ethan I Was Before and August Isle, Bad Bella, and How to Disappear Completely—about a girl who is struggling to deal with her father’s alcoholism when she discovers an enchanted lake.

Lily’s Promise by Kathryn Erskine
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From National Book Award–winning author Kathryn Erskine comes a heartfelt, poignant novel that tackles grief, change, and the struggle to let your voice be heard. Perfect for fans of Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Erin Entrada Kelly, and Ali Benjamin.

JUNE

Almost Flying by Jake Maia Arlow
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this unabashedly queer middle grade debut, a week-long amusement park road trip becomes a true roller coaster of emotion when Dalia realizes she has more-than-friend feelings for her new bestie.

Generation Misfits by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A heartwarming Own Voices middle grade novel about an eleven-year-old Japanese-American girl who finds her true friends when she joins her school’s J-Pop club, from award-winning author Akemi Dawn Bowman.

Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year by Nina Hamza
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Best at It meets John David Anderson in this Indian Muslim #ownvoices debut about a champion underachiever who must start over in a new state with the help of three classic books.

The Double Life of Danny Day by Mike Thayer
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A boy who lives every day twice uses his ability to bring down bullies at his new school in Mike Thayer’s humor-filled middle grade novel.

The Stars of Whistling Ridge by Cindy Baldwin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this new novel from the author of Where the Watermelons Grow and Beginners Welcome, an almost-thirteen-year-old with an almost-complete sentence for a name embraces her destiny to search for a forever home.

Long Distance by Whitney Gardner
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the creator of Fake Blood comes another exceptionally charming middle grade graphic novel about friendships both near and far, far away.

What middle grade releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Incredible Middle Grade Book Releases To Look Out For In 2021 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The month of May is known as mental health awareness month, and while fictional books featuring mental health have become increasingly popular, there are many that still feature stereotypes and the incorrect information. Naturally, these can be offensive to those who either suffer or know individuals who are currently or previously dealt with mental health.

In honour of mental health awareness month, I bring you my top five YA books that feature mental health which seem to give an authentic representation, especially with all of the positive comments they receive from the community. However, it is worth noting that one person’s experience will be different from the other. Just because it doesn’t seem like yours, doesn’t mean that the experience is not real or yours is invalid.

If you would like to find more information and details about mental health, please search for a mental health organisation within your country or visit the 13 Reasons Why Info page, which features information and contact numbers for each country.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Fangirl tells the story of Cath and her twin sister, Wren. They used to be huge Simon Snow fans, but as they grew older, Wren left the fandom while Cath stayed in it. This story is set during their first year of university and follows her worries and experiences. Many readers will be able to relate to Cath’s fear of living alone and away from home, but I must admit that this book is not my favourite mainly because how shy Cath is. But after reading several reviews, I see how many people with social anxiety sees themselves in Cath and that’s the first time I see how real it is, how it can affect so many parts of someone’s life. It helps give you a deeper insight and it will allow you to connect with others by being more understanding towards those with anxiety.

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sam has OCD, purely-obsessional OCD, to be exact. Her minds are plagued with dark thoughts and worries that spirals out of control. What is enjoyable about this book is how supportive Sam’s parents are, as well as her amazing relationship with her therapist. This is the first time I’ve seen a positive portrayal of therapist and patients in media, without any tantrums or distrust. Sam is truly open and trusts her therapist, while the therapist herself is very helpful and you can see that she truly cares for Sam. The research is also done very well here, you can see from the way Sam’s thoughts processes are portrayed. But what’s more, her OCD is not all that there is to Sam as the author did a superb job in portraying the OCD aspect, but without making it Sam’s identity.

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

All The Bright Places is the most heartbreaking book in this list and it tells the story of Finch, who is fascinated by death. He tries to jump off the bell tower, which is when he meets Violet, who is also ready to jump. Finch talks her out of it and they became closer. It might sound like your usual boy-meets-girl or typical “love cures mental illness” but trust me, it’s not. It doesn’t feel romanticised at all as their development (or downward spiral) seems so raw and real, which will make you feel both proud and sad throughout the book.

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Aysel plots her death all the time, but she’s not sure she could do it alone. She looks for a suicide partner from a website and she’s paired with FrozenRobot aka Roman. As they start to chat, Aysel begins to question whether she wants to go with it or not. This book presents a realistic and relatable description of depression and you also get to know the characters deeply since the book also discusses identity with Aysel being a person of colour and how your parents can define you. But throughout the series, she manages to see small positive things in her life and eventually, she realises that she still wants to do more with her life. It is such a positive thing to see and you’ll be happy to be part of Aysel’s journey.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This book might seem out-of-place in this list as it is a fantasy book in a list of contemporaries. But our characters in fantasy books often undergo traumatic experiences, including assassination attempts, kidnapping, and war. However, they seem able to go on with their lives without those events affecting them. Six of Crows is the only book where I see the characters working out their past events and how they deal with the repercussions. The leader of the gang, Kaz Brekker, suffers from PTSD despite his fearsome reputation. He has touch aversion and wears gloves all the time, but he manages to turn it into a strength to add into his reputation. I love how he’s handled in this book, being part of the character instead of just being a plot point to add to the angst.

Any other books you would recommend? Tell us in the comments below!

The post YA Books Featuring Mental Health Awareness appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you have read or will be reading one!

The Becoming of Noah Shaw by Michelle Hodkin | Goodreads

In the first book of the Shaw Confessions, the companion series to the New York Times bestselling Mara Dyer novels, old skeletons are laid bare and new promises prove deadly. This is what happens after happily ever after. Everyone thinks seventeen-year-old Noah Shaw has the world on a string. They’re wrong. Mara Dyer is the only one he trusts with his secrets and his future. He shouldn’t. And both are scared that uncovering the truth about themselves will force them apart. They’re right.

The Temptation of Adam by Dave Connis | Goodreads

Adam Hawthorne is fine even though his mother and older sister left while Adam now spends his nights watching self-curated porn video playlists. When a family friend discovers Adam’s porn addiction, he’s forced to join an addiction support group: the self-proclaimed Knights of Vice. The honesty of the Knights starts to slip past his defenses and combine that with his sister’s out-of-the-blue return, the attention of a girl he meets in an AA meeting, and all the work Adam has put into being fine begins to unravel. Now Adam has to face the causes and effects of his addiction, before he loses his new friends, his prodigal sister, and his almost semi-sort-of girlfriend.

Runebinder by Alex R. Kahler | Goodreads

When magic returned, but greed and thirst for power caused mankind’s downfall instead. Now once-human monsters called Howls prowl abandoned streets, their hunger guided by corrupt necromancers and the all-powerful Kin. Only Hunters have the power to fight back in the unending war, using the same magic that ended civilisation in the first place. Tenn is a Hunter and he becomes singled out by a seductive Kin named Tomás and the enigmatic Hunter Jarrett, Tenn realises he’s become a pawn in a bigger game. One that could turn the tides of war. But if his mutinous magic and wayward heart get in the way, his power might not be used in favour of mankind.

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi | Goodreads

A new adventure about a girl who is fated to wash the bodies of the dead in this companion to Furthermore. Laylee can barely remember the happier times before her beloved mother died. Before her father, driven by grief, lost his wits (and his way). Before she was left as the sole remaining mordeshoor in the village of Whichwood, destined to spend her days washing the bodies of the dead and preparing their souls for the afterlife. It’s become easy to forget and easier still to ignore the way her hands are stiffening and turning silver, just like her hair, and her own ever-increasing loneliness and fear. (NOTE: More so middle grade, but still a great read!)

The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody | Goodreads

Over the course of one chaotic night stranded at the Denver airport, Ryn confronts her shattered past on New Year’s Eve thanks to a never-ending blizzard on the one-year anniversary of her best friend’s death. When Ryn and a boy named Xander accidentally swap phones, they are thrust into the chaos of an unforgettable all-night adventure, filled with charming and mysterious strangers, a secret New Year’s Eve bash, and a possible Illuminati conspiracy hidden within the Denver airport.

Renegades by Marissa Meyer | Goodreads

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they are a symbol of hope and courage…except to the villains they once overthrew. Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. Closing in on her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

Here We Are Now by Jasmine Warga | Goodreads

Taliah Abdallat never thought she’d ever really meet Julian Oliver, but one day the famed rock star shows up on her doorstep because Julian Oliver is Taliah’s father, even though her mother would never admit it to her. He asks her to come with him to Oak Falls Indiana to meet her grandfather who is dying and she’s torn between betraying her mother’s trust and meeting the family she has never known, goes. With her best friend by her side, she embarks on a three-day journey, but Julian isn’t the father Taliah always hoped for.

Blood Oath by Raye Wagner and Kelly St. Clare | Goodreads

More than anything, I crave adventure. But in the disease ridden land of Verald, life is mapped out much like the well-established rings of our kingdom. At the very heart reigns our vicious king and Lord Irrik, an invincible dragon shifter, at his side. Their power poisons the land and the people, leading to a steadily mounting number of enemies. But change is coming. When the rebellion surges, the king strikes back. Captured by Lord Irrik, I’m suddenly embroiled in a deadly game. One where I’m desperate to understand the rules. Because I’m not only fighting for my life…but also a love that could be the very key to my freedom.

Fence by C.S. Pacat | Goodreads

Fence follows the rise of 16-year-old outsider Nicholas in the world of competitive fencing at an elite boys school. “It’s all about the world of fencing,” said Pacat. “The elegance, the danger, the high stakes of what’s essentially a combat sport.”

The Emerald Circus by Jane Yolen | Goodreads

It’s time to go back to—and beyond—the treasured tales you thought you knew: The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and many more. A girl blown away from Kansas returns as a sophisticate with unusual gymnastic abilities. A talented apprentice, forging her first sword, is suddenly left to the mercies of Merlin. Alice’s infamous nemesis has jaws and claws, but also lacks the essential: a sense of humour.

Almost Midnight by Rainbow Rowell | Goodreads

Midnights is the story of Noel and Mags, who meet at the same New Year’s Eve party every year and fall a little more in love each time… Kindred Spirits is about Elena, who decides to queue to see the new Star Wars movie and meets Gabe, a fellow fan. Midnight was previously published as part of the My True Love Gave to Me anthology, edited by Stephanie Perkins and Kindred Spirits was previously published as a World Book Day title.

Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne | Goodreads

When Zivah falls prey to the deadly rose plague, she knows it’s only a matter of time before she fully succumbs. Now she’s destined to live her last days in isolation, cut off from her people and unable to practice her art—until a threat to her village creates a need that only she can fill. Broken by torture at the hands of the Amparan Empire, Dineas thirsts for revenge against his captors. Now escaped and reunited with his tribe, he’ll do anything to free them from Amparan rule—even if it means undertaking a plan that risks not only his life but his very self.

The post November Book Releases: YA appeared first on The Nerd Daily.